> china. >> china. >> china. >> china. >> china also getting more than a few mentions during the presidential campaign, probably because it's pretty clear that china is both a competitor and a partner. >> number four, europe. the european union was fractured by too much debt and the austerity plans to fix it. that saga is far from over. number three, the housing market. finally, finally bottomed out. the combination of low home prices and continued record low mortgage rates set off a building and buying spree. well-healed investors began buying entire neighborhoods, but first-time buyers were also able to get a home of their own for the first time in years. as long as they had a hefty down payment. >> number two. cnn projects that barack obama will be re-elected president of the united states. >> the election. more than just about obama and romney, it was about socialism and capitalism, about spending and cutting, about what kind of role government should have in your life. >> number one is the fiscal cliff. lawmakers saw it coming, but didn't bother to pay any attention to it, until after th